She paced the small campsite in short, quick strides as the pealing of the cell phone went off. She was amazed that it actually had any type of service this deep in the woods. She'd found herself a clearing that was far enough away from the City yet not so far in that there'd be other types of predators to bother her in its depths. She'd set up a tent, it was a deep brown and sat low to the earth enough that anyone walking by wouldn't see it. Not that anyone wandered this far out either. The fire still smoked slightly from her recent meal and the pealing of the damned phone still echoed in the air.

It finally stopped. For possibly all of five seconds before it started up again. Sighing she picked it up from it's perch on the ground and hit the send button. Knowing she should say something, anything, all she could muster was a muttered, "What?" Jabbing the speakerphone button she propped it against her boots as she dropped down into the area around the pit. The voice on the other end was angry, as it was every other time she answered.

"Gae. I'm not coming home."

Sorellina , è malsano di essere lontano dalla Famiglia per così tanto tempo*.

"You of all people are going to talk to me about unhealthy, Gaetano? Your job has twisted your mind, you are not in your right state."

"Non farmi venire a trovarti . Sai che farò."**

She'd flipped back then, giving him what he wanted to hear. He'd always been demanding, controlling even. "Mio fratello, mi hai promesso tempo. Ho bisogno di più tempo , non solo a recuperare da una cosa del genere . Pazienza, per favore."*** Her voice is too quiet, tears threatened to come before he finally muttered something about Mirabella needing him and she hit the end button and considered tossing the phone across the ground. But that would only cause him to visit, cause him to come and see her and she needed to avoid that as much as possible.

With a snarl she took a few steps, anger giving way to the change in her body as she shifted. It was faster than it normally was, she was sure the anger fueled it, as it usually did. Her brother was one of the only ones to actually elicit that type of reaction from her. Rafaele, with his cool demeanor and gentle words was able to cool the flames that burned beneath her skin. But Raf wasn't here, Raf wasn't even in New York. Gaetano had sent him away to do business for the family and Dom could only wonder what that type was.

With a snort she dismissed the thoughts, taking strides about the clearing in which she was. One of the places she was comfortable shifting in this new location. She'd avoided living in the City because it meant there were more people to witness her comings and goings and she was well aware of what gifts Gaetano had, he'd been born with them and would never hesitate to use them on others if it allowed him to find her. So, a solitary existence it was for a time, except for her clients. A snapping twig causes her head to raise,the stripes on her body giving away that she was definitely not domesticated, she had avoided telling her newfound companions about her species, preferring to keep it to herself. Her ears swivel forward to try and pinpoint the location.


*Little sister, it is unhealthy for you to be away from the family for so long.
**Do not make me come and get you. You know I will.
***brother mine, you promised me time. I need more time, you don't just recover from something like that. Patience, please.